Name dropping is something which is thoroughly looked down upon and has caused quite a few relations to go sour. Richa Chadda, the latest victim of such name dropping is furious and at the same time amused that her name is being used by some. A recent press report claims that Richa is a part of a film called Kacha Love, Pakke Dost which is apparently the directorial debut of famous casting director Mukesh Chabbra. Chabbra happens to be a good friend of the actress giving her all the more reason to be surprised at this news. Richa said reacting to the news, “It’s funny actually because Mukesh is a dear friend. And if he has such a movie I’m sure he would call and ask. I have never heard about this movie and this actually isn’t the first time my name is being used randomly without me being aware.”
Month: August 2014
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NEPAL LANDSLIDE: Death toll touches 156, search called off
KATHMANDU: Nepal government on Wednesday declared dead the 123 people missing in the country’s worst landslide in over a decade, taking the death toll from the disaster to 156, as the search for the bodies buried under the debris was called off. The landslide, triggered by heavy rains, hit Sindhupalchowk district on Saturday after the Sunkoshi river, which flows across the border into Bihar as the Kosi river, was blocked creating an artificial lake near Nepal-Tibet border.
Chief district officer Gopal Parajuli confirmed that all 123 missing in the landslide were dead on the basis of data submitted by local people. “The missing persons were declared dead after the nature of the site showed no possibilities of finding the bodies,” said Parajul. He said rescue work has been called off for the time being as the deployment of heavy machinery and earth pullers may trigger more landslides. Earlier, 33 were pulled out from the rubble laid bare by Nepal’s worst landslide in over a decade.
Police and army personnel carried out search and rescue operations for the past five days to locate the missing persons. They drained out water from the artificial lake using controlled explosions. About 5,000 people across 11 districts have been affected due to the landslide; more than 1,000 have been displaced. Over 60 houses in three villages were swept away and dozens of other structures damaged.
The government has distributed Rs 40,000 as relief to the families of dead and missing in the disaster. Those whose houses were damaged were given Rs 5,000. Eighteen people were rescued by Nepal Army. The district has been evacuated and some 600 stranded tourists, including Indian nationals, have been moved to safer locations. In July 2002, over 150 people were killed when multiple mudslides struck two villages in the eastern district of Khotang. -
Rani Mukerji unveils ‘Mardaani’ anthem
Actress Rani Mukerji on Monday unveiled ‘Mardaani’ anthem and says it talks about “anger and frustration” women go through. “This anthem is a thought that has come from the anger and frustration we go through in our daily life,” Rani told reporters. “The anthem is written by Kausar Munir. This anthem is beautifully depicted. The lyrics are very powerful,” added the actress. Director Pradeep Sarkar’s film Mardaani will see Rani as Shivani Shivaji Roy, an officer of the Mumbai Crime Branch unit. In the raw and gritty tale, Rani displays women power. She said: “Men are physically strong but women are mentally and emotionally strong. There is nothing man can do without women.” Produced by Rani’s husband Aditya Chopra of Yash Raj Films (YRF) banner, Mardaani is slated to release on Aug 22.
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Sri Lanka disappearances probe panel term extended
COLOMBO: The term of a Sri Lankan government-appointed panel probing the cases of missing persons during the three-decade war with the LTTE has been extended by nearly seven months. President Mahinda Rajapaksa extended the term of the commission investigating disappearances in the North and East until February 15, 2015. Its term was to expire at the end of this month, said commission’s secretary HW Gunadasa.
Rajapaksa yesterday announced he may add three more international experts to the existing three-member panel. Last month, he had named a three-member international advisory panel comprising Sir Desmond de Silva, Sir Geoffrey Nice and Professor David Crane to advise the disappearances commission headed by ex-Sri Lankan judge Maxwell Paranagama.
The members of the panel Desmonde Silva and Nice are from Britain while David Crane is a US national. The probe panel was set up in August 2013 and mandated to probe disappearances of persons between 1990 to May 2009 when the war with Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) ended. It was set up as a recommendation of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC), which again was Sri Lanka’s answer to calls for reconciliation with the Tamil minority after the end of the bitterly fought conflict.
Sri Lanka faces an international probe over allegations that government forces killed about 40,000 Tamil civilians in the final months of fighting, a charge refuted by Colombo. The panel has so far entertained nearly 19,000 complaints, including from the members of the LTTE and the government troops.
Alongside the appointment of the experts, the mandate of the disappearances commission was also expanded to include if any person, group or institution had been responsible for any violations of international humanitarian law or international human rights law. The UNHRC in late March had mandated the appointment of an international investigation team to probe Sri Lanka’s rights accountability. -
DEEPIKA PADUKONE’S GOAN TREAT FOR COLLEAGUES
While on outdoors schedules Bollywood Actors generally tend to crave delicacies of the region they are shooting in. But long schedules of work and strict diet plans don’t allow them to gorge enough food. During the shoot of Finding Fanny, Deepika decided that the entire team immerse themselves into a Goan avatar. And in her endeavour to do this, she traced down a local Goan culinary expert and would personally order authentic Goan cuisine from wherever she was shooting. It first started with ordering Goan food on set but that would warrant a siesta after the unit had gorged on all the delicacies. Following a couple of these siestas, producer Dinesh Vijan decided that the over-eating should be kept for after wrapping the day’s work or it would be impossible to wrap each actor within 36 shooting days. “Oh ya, we’d come back from a hectic day of shooting and Deepika’s team would have a Goan spread laid out for everyone,” beams a crew member. Well, we are sure Deepika Padukone makes quite a good Host and has her taste buds all over the place.
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Afghan policeman turns on his colleagues, kills 7
KABUL: A local official says an Afghan policeman has turned his gun on his colleagues at a checkpoint in the south, killing seven policemen. The shooting was the latest among socalled insider attacks in which Afghan forces or gunmen in Afghan police or army uniforms turn their weapon on Afghan colleagues or NATO allies.
Doost Mohammad Nayab, a spokesman in southern Uruzgan province, says the attack happened Tuesday night in the provincial capital of Tirin Kot. After killing seven policemen, the attacker stole their weapons and fled in a police car. Nayab says the shooter had Taliban connections and blamed the insurgents for the attack.
Earlier Tuesday, a gunman dressed as an Afghan soldier turned on allied troops, killing an American major general and wounding about 15 US and coalition forces. -
Lucy
Cast: Scarlett Johansson, Morgan Freeman, Amr Waked,
Min-sik Choi
Direction: Luc Besson
Genre: Sci-Fi
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Story: One wrong decision lands Lucy (Scarlett Johansson) in trouble and changes her life forever.
Review: Lucy is deceived by her shady boyfriend, who coerces her into undertaking a delivery job. Little does she know that she has been used as a drug mule instead! However, the victim in her becomes lethal when she is accidentally exposed to an overdose of the very experimental drugs she is about to transfer.
Lucy’s premise is built on the widely popular myth that we ‘human beings only make use of 10% of our brain’. What will happen if a drug (here, CPH4) alters that calculation drastically, thus enabling us to use the full 100%? Lucy undergoes this. Her brain power keeps increasing, making her seem like a highly volatile, walking, talking time bomb about to explode.
What will happen to Lucy after the drug unlocks her mind’s full potential? While the concept is highly intriguing and thoughtprovoking, you cannot stretch an idea way beyond its limits. Lucy’s dilemma is mysterious and gripping but as the film oscillates between sci-fi, action and philosophy, you somewhere find it all too pseudocerebral and convoluted.
The combination of multiple genres makes the film look like a bizarre mix of The Tree of Life and La Femme Nikita! Morgan Freeman stands out in his small but significant role. Scarlett Johansson is convincing but after a while, the film gets too far-fetched and her character loses its sheen. While we are keen on counting her rising brain potential, changing psyche and the unexpected repercussions, the overindulgent French filmmaker seems more desperate to focus on his femme fatale’s implausible superpowers (telekinesis and mind-reading) instead.
Lucy may fail to woo the mainstream audience as it doesn’t boast an extravagant budget or thrilling special effects. You don’t feel for the protagonist either as she loses everything that makes her human, including pain and fear of death. However, if you are a fan of ‘experimental’ cinema, you will appreciate this unconventional attempt. -
Afghan terror allegations ‘baseless’, Pakistan says
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday rejected allegations from Kabul that it was involved in terrorist attacks and insurgent activities on Afghan soil. Foreign office spokesperson Tasneem Aslam said in her weekly briefing that Afghanistan has been continuously maligning Pakistan’s national security institutions unabated.
“We categorically reject Afghan allegations of involvement in terrorist attacks, insurgent activities or cross-border shelling. We also firmly reject any statements casting aspersions on Pakistan’s commitment to fight terrorism,” Aslam said. She said that terrorism is a common enemy afflicting the whole region and concerted efforts must be made by all sides for combating it effectively.
“Levelling baseless allegations serves no useful purpose. It rather benefits the enemies of peace and undermines the prospects of a cordial relationship between peoples of Pakistan and Afghanistan,” she said. Aslam emphasized that the launch of Operation ‘Zarb-e-Azb’ in North Waziristan is the clearest reflection of Pakistan’s resolve to fight terrorism.
She also said that Pakistan remains committed to building friendly and good-neighbourly relations with Afghanistan based on the principles of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of both countries. She hoped that Kabul would reciprocate to Islamabad’s policy of restraint and responsibility and its continued efforts for constructive engagement.
On the violence in Gaza, Aslam said that PM Nawaz Sharif has strongly condemned Israel’s actions and reiterated Pakistan’s long-standing support to the cause of Palestine. “He also announced US$ 1 million for emergency humanitarian assistance for the affected people of Gaza,” she said. -
1 Sikh killed, 2 injured in gunmen attack in Pakistan’s Peshawar
ISLAMABAD: Unidentified gunmen attacked members of the Sikh community in the northwestern city of Peshawar on Wednesday killing one on the spot while injuring two others. Police officials said that the attack occurred at a busy marketplace in Hashtnagari area of Peshawar when members of the Sikh community had just opened their respective cosmetic shops.
The deceased was identified as Jagmohan Singh while the injured, Manmit Singh and Param Singh, were said to be in critical condition in the city’s Lady Reading hospital. Angry members of the Sikh community blocked the main Grand Trunk Road linking Peshawar with the capital city of Islamabad with protesters shouting slogans against the government and demanding justice.
They also burnt tyres before marching towards the chief minister’s office while carrying the dead body. Following assurances by CM Pervez Khattak during a meeting with 14-member delegation of Sikhs that foolproof security will be provided to the minority community, the protesters ended their protest. At least 520 Sikh families live in Peshawar with 380 of them living in a locality known as Mohallah Jogan Shah.
Several of them migrated from the tribal regions when Pakistani Taliban established their control there. In the past decade, Pakistan has increasingly become an unsafe place for minorities. In recent years, members of Christian, Sikh, Hindu and Ahamadiyya communities were brutally targeted across the country. -
JESSICA ALBA: ONCE TOMBOY, NOW ‘WOMAN’ FEELS SAUCIER
Actress Jessica Alba, who has recently featured in a sensuous photoshoot for a magazine, says there was a time when she was a tomboy and had to make an extra effort to look “sexy”. But now, she is confident of her sexuality. “I just have an ownership of my body and of myself as a woman that I didn’t really have before,” Alba told eonline.com. “I was such a tomboy, and I would always kinda like try and do role-playing to try and do these sexy things, but now I’m very much woman.
I know who I am, I’m confident in my sexuality and now it’s not so much of a departure from myself when I have to do photo shoots or play a character,” she added. In the photo spread for Maxim magazine, the 33-year-old puts her figure on display in a wet bikini while posing against a rocky hillside of the beach. Recently, the “Sin City 2: A Dame to Kill for” actress also revealed how age has helped her let go of her inhibitions and made her feel “saucier”.
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Kerry Visit: Not Much Expected, Not Much Achieved
Not too much was expected from the justconcluded India-US strategic dialogue and not too much has resulted. Its importance lay in resuming and creating a congenial atmosphere for high level engagement after several US steps roiling India on the diplomatic, economic and trade fronts.
To signal that the US was ready to engage the Modi government unreservedly, Kerry has tried to woo Shri Modi unselfconsciously by quoting his slogan of “sabke sath sabka vikas” approvingly more than once so as to disarm any personal rancour that they suspect may linger over the visa denial issue. Our external affairs minister has qualified her discussions with Kerry “excellent” though this is not reflected in the announced outcomes.
She said astutely that the relationship is a truly defining partnership and a strategic one “to the extent” it takes care of our respective regional interests and contributes to security in our neighbourhood. Both sides “stand at a turning point”, she said and referred to the “latent potential” of the relationship -again phrases chosen with care.
She spoke of scheduling the Ministerial Trade Policy Forum and other dialogue mechanisms to address outstanding trade and economic issues “that arise as a natural result of different perceptions” -again striking a note of realism. She implicitly called US snooping of India as an unfriendly act and “un acceptable”. This needed to be said frankly, as such snooping is a serious diplomatic breach, and had the US been the victim, its reaction would have been severe in reprisals.
Kerry focused on the US agenda “to boost two-way trade, to support South Asia’s connectivity , to develop cleaner energy , to deepen our security partnership in the Asia Pacific and beyond.” How US can help South Asian connectivity and why the security partnership excludes South Asian security is not clear. He acknowledged realistically that “we all have a lot of homework to do coming out of this meeting”.
He speaks of specifics that could be put on the table for Shri Modi’s visit to Washington, but which? The US economic interests identified by him are in high-end manufacturing, infrastructure, healthcare and information technology . The first would mean technology transfers and India’s absorption capacities; US companies are hardly likely to build highways, airports, ports, railways etc in India.
In the IT sector visa issues and movement of professionals remain. Kerry wants removal of obstacles such as “tariffs, or price controls, or preferential treatment for certain products”, issues on which no quick progress can be made. On Climate Change issues, the US is pressing India to accept legally binding commitments to reduce carbon emissions in order to create business opportunities in India for US technologies.
While supporting Shri Modi’s focus on solar energy , Kerry has said elsewhere that India should become part of global supply chains and not impose local manufacturing, which India seeks in the solar energy sector and for which we have been dragged to the WTO. The joint statement lists the areas of engagement, without breaking any new ground.
It refers to India joining the export control organisations “in a phased manner”, which implies a delay in the process. On civil nuclear cooperation the joint statement, in deference to US sensitivities, is worded more positively than the situation warrants.
The reference to India, the United States and Japan working together to build transport and trade connectivity , including by developing economic corridors” to our east is significant geopolitically . On Afghanistan, Iraq and Gaza, a language of the lowest denominator has been found. All in all, the best we could say about the India-US strategic dialogue is: Kerry on. -
THREE DAYS OF SILENCE FOR GISELE BUNDCHEN
Supermodels Gisele Bundchen has undertaken three days of meditative silence while on vacation in Costa Rica. The Brazilian supermodel is currently on vacation in Costa Rica with fellow model Kiara Kabukuru and the two have embarked on the challenge to find their inner Zen, reports contactmusic.com.
Posting a photo of her and Kirara posing with their hands together in prayer via her Instagram account, Gisele wrote on Twitter: ”Here we go… 3 days in silence. #goinginward (sic).” Bundchen, 34, and Kabukuru, 39, seem to be trying to rejuvenate themselves on the break as at the weekend. The former re-posted a image of a basket of vegetables that her personal raw food chef Joanne Gerrard Young had tweeted stating the two beauties were “starting” their “juice cleanse”. -
Questions about Nuclear Weapons
Non-Proliferation Ayatollahs are again chasing India
In a partisan and condescending editorial in early July 2014, New York Times wrote: “If India wants to be part of the nuclear suppliers group, it needs to sign the treaty that prohibits nuclear testing, stop producing fissile material, and begin talks with its rivals on nuclear weapons containment.” The newspaper is sharply critical of India’s efforts to acquire membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).
It bases its criticism on a report by IHS Jane’s, a US-based research group, that India is in the process of enhancing its capacity to enrich uranium – ostensibly to power the nuclear reactors on the INS Arihant and future SSBNs, but much in excess of the requirement. This, the editorial says, is causing anxiety to the Pakistanis and has raised the spectre of an arms race in southern Asia.
It is obvious that the editorial writer understands neither the background to nor the present context of India’s nuclear deterrence. As stated in a letter written by the then Prime Minister A B Vajpayee to US President Bill Clinton after India’s nuclear tests at Pokhran in May 1998 (in an unfriendly act, the letter was leaked to the media by the White House), the primary reason for India’s acquisition of nuclear weapons was the existential threat posed by two nuclear-armed states on India’s borders, with both of which India had fought wars over territorial disputes.
The China- Pakistan nuclear and missile nexus, including the clandestine transfer of nuclear materials and technology from China to Pakistan, has irrevocably changed the strategic balance in southern Asia. It has enabled Pakistan to neutralise India’s superiority in conventional forces and wage a proxy war under the nuclear umbrella. Since then, the nuclear environment in southern Asia has been further destabilised. China’s ASAT test, BMD programme, efforts aimed at acquiring MIRV capability and ambiguity in its ‘no-first-use’ commitment, while simultaneously modernising the PLA and establishing a ‘string of pearls’ by way of ports in the Indian Ocean, are a cause for concern for India.
Similarly, Pakistan is engaged in the acquisition of ‘full spectrum’ nuclear capability, including a triad and battlefield or tactical nuclear weapons, which invariably lower the threshold of use. Pakistan has stockpiled a larger number of nuclear warheads (110 to 120) than India (90 to 100) and is continuing to add to the numbers as it has been given unsafeguarded nuclear reactors by China. Mujahideen attacks on Pakistan’s armed forces recently have led to the apprehension that some of Pakistan’s nuclear warheads could fall into Jihadi hands. Some statements made by IHS Jane’s in its report are factually incorrect.
The research group has assessed that the new Indian uranium enrichment facility at the Indian Rare Metals Plant near Mysore will enhance India’s ability to produce ‘weapons-grade’ uranium to twice the amount needed for its planned nuclear-powered SSBN fleet. The report does not say how the research group arrived at this deduction. Also, the nuclear power reactors of SSBNs require uranium to be enriched only up to 30 to 40 per cent.Weapons-grade uranium must be enriched to levels over 90 per cent. For the record, the Government of India has denied reports that it is ‘covertly’ expanding its nuclear arsenal.
An Indian official told The Hindu (Atul Aneja, “India trashes report on covert nuclear facility”, June 22, 2014) that the report was ‘mischievously timed’ as it came just before a meeting of the NSG. He said, “It is interesting that such reports questioning India’s nuclear credentials are planted at regular intervals.” The US Government also dismissed the report as ‘highly speculative’ (“US dismisses report on India covertly increasing nukes”, The Hindu, June 21, 2014).
The US State Department spokesperson said, “We remain fully committed to the terms of the 123 agreement and to enhancing our strategic relationship…” The 123 agreement signed after the Indo-US Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement of July 2005 gives an exemption to India’s nuclear weapons facilities and stockpiles of nuclear weapons fuel from inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). India has agreed to bring 14 nuclear power reactors under international safeguards.
Eight military facilities, including reactors, enrichment and reprocessing facilities, will remain out of the purview of IAEA safeguards. India is at liberty to set up additional military facilities using unsafeguarded materials if these are considered necessary. India has been a responsible nuclear power and has a positive record on non-proliferation. India has consistently supported total nuclear disarmament and is in favour of negotiations for the Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT).
For both technical and political reasons, it is important for India to keep its option to conduct further nuclear tests open; hence, it cannot sign the CTBT at present even though it has declared a unilateral moratorium on nuclear tests. Non-proliferation ayatollahs should channel their efforts towards identifying and shaming the real proliferators. Influential newspapers like New York Times should review the progress made by the P-5 nuclear weapons states (NWS) on the implementation of the commitments made by them during the 2010 NPT Review Conference (RevCon) as RevCon 2015 is coming up.
The commitments made at the 2010 RevCon include progress in the implementation of the New Start Treaty; disposal of HEU extracted from nuclear warheads; steps towards early entry into force of the CTBT, monitoring and verification procedures and its universalisation; efforts to revitalise the Conference on Disarmament (CD) by ending the impasse in its working and, the immediate start of negotiations on a legally binding, verifiable international ban on the production of fissile material by way of the FMCT; and, measures to strengthen the non-proliferation regime.
In April 2009, in his first major foreign policy speech, popularly known as the ‘Prague Spring’ speech that won him the Nobel Peace prize, President Barack Obama had committed the US to work towards a world free of nuclear weapons in line with the growing bipartisan consensus expressed by Henry Kissinger, George Shultz,William Perry, and Sam Nunn, in their famous 2007 Wall Street Journal article. The New York Times should enquire how well that commitment is being fulfilled. -
SRI GURU GRANTH SAHIB
CONTD FROM Vol 8 ISSUE 30
|| 4 || 9 || SORAT’H, FIRST MEHL, PANCH-PADAS: You cannot save your own home from being plundered; why do you spy on the houses of others? That Gurmukh who joins himself to the Guru’s service, saves his own home, and tastes the Lord’s Nectar.
|| 1 || O mind, you must realize what your intellect is focused on. Forgetting the Naam, the Name of the Lord, one is involved with other tastes; the unfortunate wretch shall come to regret it in the end. || Pause || When things come, he is pleased, but when they go, he weeps and wails; this pain and pleasure remains attached to him. The Lord Himself causes him to enjoy pleasure and endure pain; the Gurmukh, however, remains unaffected.
|| 2 || What else can be said to be above the subtle essence of the Lord? One who drinks it in is satisfied and satiated. One who is lured by Maya loses this juice; that faithless cynic is tied to his evil-mindedness.
|| 3 || The Lord is the life of the mind, the Master of the breath of life; the Divine Lord is contained in the body. If You so bless us, Lord, then we sing Your Praises; the mind is satisfied and fulfilled, lovingly attached to the Lord.
|| 4 || In the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy, the subtle essence of the Lord is obtained; meeting the Guru, the fear of death departs. O Nanak, chant the Name of the Lord, as Gurmukh; you shall obtain the Lord, and realize your pre-ordained destiny.
|| 5 || 10 || SORAT’H, FIRST MEHL: Destiny, pre-ordained by the Lord, looms over the heads of all beings; no one is without this pre-ordained destiny. Only He Himself is beyond destiny; creating the creation by His creative power, He beholds it, and causes His Command to be followed.
|| 1 || O mind, chant the Name of the Lord, and be at peace. Day and night, serve at the Guru’s feet; the Lord is the Giver, and the Enjoyer. || Pause || He is within – see Him outside as well; there is no one, other than Him. As Gurmukh, look upon all with the single eye of equality; in each and every heart, the Divine Light is contained.
|| 2 || Restrain your fickle mind, and keep it steady within its own home; meeting the Guru, this understanding is obtained. Seeing the unseen Lord, you shall be amazed and delighted; forgetting your pain, you shall be at peace.
|| 3 || Drinking in the ambrosial nectar, you shall attain the highest bliss, and dwell within the home of your own self. So sing the Praises of the Lord, the Destroyer of the fear of birth and death, and you shall not be reincarnated again.
|| 4 || The essence, the immaculate Lord, the Light of all – I am He and He is me – there is no difference between us. The Infinite Transcendent Lord, the Supreme Lord God – Nanak has met with Him, the Guru.
|| 5 || 11 || SORAT’H, FIRST MEHL, THIRD HOUSE: ONE UNIVERSAL CREATOR GOD. BY THE GRACE OF THE TRUE GURU: When I am pleasing to Him, then I sing His Praises. Singing His Praises, I receive the fruits of my rewards. The rewards of singing His Praises are obtained when He Himself gives them.
|| 1 || O my mind, through the Word of the Guru’s Shabad, the treasure is obtained; this is why I remain immersed in the True Name. || Pause || When I awoke within myself to the Guru’s Teachings, then I renounced my fickle intellect. When the Light of the Guru’s Teachings dawned, and then all darkness was dispelled.
|| 2 || When the mind is attached to the Guru’s Feet, then the Path of Death recedes. Through the Fear of God, one attains the Fearless Lord; then, one enters the home of celestial bliss.
|| 3 || Prays Nanak, how rare are those who reflect and understand, the most sublime action in this world. The noblest deed is to sing the Lord’s Praises, and so meet the Lord Himself. || 4 || 1 || 12 || SORAT’H, THIRD MEHL, FIRST HOUSE: ONE UNIVERSAL CREATOR GOD. BY THE GRACE OF THE TRUE GURU: All of Your servants, who relish the Word of Your Shabad, serve You. By Guru’s Grace, they become pure, eradicating selfconceit from within. Night and day, they continually sing the Glorious Praises of the True Lord; they are adorned with the Word of the Guru’s Shabad.
|| 1 || O my Lord and Master, I am Your child; I seek Your Sanctuary. You are the One and Only Lord, the Truest of the True; You Yourself are the Destroyer of ego. || Pause || Those who remain wakeful obtain God; through the Word of the Shabad, they conquer their ego. Immersed in family life, the Lord’s humble servant ever remains detached; he reflects upon the essence of spiritual wisdom. Serving the True Guru, he finds eternal peace, and he keeps the Lord enshrined in his heart.
|| 2 || This mind wanders in the ten directions; it is consumed by the love of duality. The foolish self-willed manmukh does not remember the Lord’s Name; he wastes away his life in vain. But when he meets the True Guru, then he obtains the Name; he sheds egotism and emotional attachment.
|| 3 || The Lord’s humble servants are True – they practice Truth, and reflect upon the Word of the Guru’s Shabad. The True Lord God unites them with Himself, and they keep the True Lord enshrined in their hearts. O Nanak, through the Name, I have obtained salvation and understanding; this alone is my wealth.
|| 4 || 1 || SORAT’H, THIRD MEHL: The True Lord has blessed His devotees with the treasure of devotional worship, and the wealth of the Lord’s Name. The wealth of the Naam, shall never be exhausted; no one can estimate its worth. With the wealth of the Naam, their faces are radiant, and they attain the True Lord.
|| 1 || O my mind, through the Word of the Guru’s Shabad, the Lord is found. Without the Shabad, the world wanders around, and receives its punishment in the Court of the Lord. || Pause || Within this body dwell the five thieves: sexual desire, anger, greed, emotional attachment and egotism. They plunder the Nectar, but the self-willed manmukh does not realize it; no one hears his complaint. The world is blind, and its dealings are blind as well; without the Guru, there is only pitch darkness.
|| 2 || Indulging in egotism and possessiveness, they are ruined; when they depart, nothing goes along with them. But one who becomes Gurmukh meditates on the Naam, and ever contemplates the Lord’s Name. Through the True Word of Gurbani, he sings the Glorious Praises of the Lord; blessed with the Lord’s Glance of Grace, he is enraptured.
|| 3 || The spiritual wisdom of the True Guru is a steady light within the heart. The Lord’s decree is over the heads of even kings. Night and day, the Lord’s devotees worship Him; night and day, they gather in the true profit of the Lord’s Name. O Nanak, through the Lord’s Name, one is emancipated; attuned to the Shabad, he finds the Lord. || 4 || 2 || SORAT’H, THIRD MEHL: If one becomes the slave of the Lord’s slaves, then he finds the Lord, and eradicates ego from within. The Lord of bliss is his object of devotion; night and day, he sings the Glorious Praises of the Lord. Attuned to the Word of the Shabad, the Lord’s devotees remain ever as one, absorbed in the Lord.
|| 1 || O Dear Lord, Your Glance of Grace is True. Show mercy to Your slave, O Beloved Lord, and preserve my honor. || Pause || Continually praising the Word of the Shabad, I live; under Guru’s Instruction, my fear has been dispelled. My True Lord God is so beautiful! Serving the Guru, my consciousness is focused on Him. One who chants the True Word of the Shabad, and the Truest of the True, the Word of His Bani, remains wakeful, day and night.
|| 2 || He is so very deep and profound, the Giver of eternal peace; no one can find His limit. Serving the Perfect Guru, one becomes carefree, enshrining the Lord within the mind. The mind and body become immaculately pure, and a lasting peace fills the heart; doubt is eradicated from within.
|| 3 || The Way of the Lord is always such a difficult path; only a few find it, contemplating the Guru. Imbued with the Lord’s Love, and intoxicated with the Shabad, he renounces ego and corruption. O Nanak, imbued with the Naam, and the Love of the One Lord, he is embellished with the Word of the Shabad.
|| 4 || 3 || SORAT’H, THIRD MEHL: Dear Beloved Lord, I praise You continually, as long as there is the breath within my body. If I were to forget You, for a moment, even for an instant, O Lord Master, it would be like fifty years for me. I was always such a fool and an idiot, O Siblings of Destiny, but now, through the Word of the Guru’s Shabad, my mind is enlightened.
|| 1 || Dear Lord, You Yourself bestow understanding. Dear Lord, I am forever a sacrifice to You; I am dedicated and devoted to Your Name. || Pause || I have died in the Word of the Shabad, and through the Shabad, I am dead while yet alive, O Siblings of Destiny; through the Shabad, I have been liberated. Through the Shabad, my mind and body have been purified, and the Lord has come to dwell within my mind. The Guru is the Giver of the Shabad; my mind is imbued with it, and I remain absorbed in the Lord.
|| 2 || Those who do not know the Shabad are blind and deaf; why did they even bother to come into the world? They do not obtain the subtle essence of the Lord’s elixir; they waste away their lives, and are reincarnated over and over again. The blind, idiotic, selfwilled manmukhs are like maggots in manure, and in manure they rot away.
|| 3 || The Lord Himself creates us, watches over us, and places us on the Path, O Siblings of Destiny; there is no one other than Him. No one can erase that which is pre-ordained, O Siblings of Destiny; whatever the Creator wills, comes to pass. O Nanak, the Naam, the Name of the Lord, abides deep within the mind; O Siblings of Destiny, there is no other at all.
|| 4 || 4 || SORAT’H, THIRD MEHL: The Gurmukhs practice devotional worship, and become pleasing to God; night and day, they chant the Naam, the Name of the Lord. You Yourself protect and take care of Your devotees, who are pleasing to Your Mind. You are the Giver of virtue, realized through the Word of Your Shabad. Uttering Your Glories, we merge with You, O Glorious Lord.
|| 1 || O my mind, remember always the Dear Lord. At the very last moment, He alone shall be your best friend; He shall always stand by you. || Pause || The gathering of the wicked enemies shall always practice falsehood; they do not contemplate understanding. Who can obtain fruit from the slander of evil enemies? Remember that Harnaakhash was torn apart by the Lord’s claws. Prahlaad, the Lord’s humble servant, constantly sang the Glorious Praises of the Lord, and the Dear Lord saved him.
|| 2 || The self-willed manmukhs see themselves as being very virtuous; they have absolutely no understanding at all. They indulge in slander of the humble spiritual people; they waste their lives away, and then they have to depart. They never think of the Lord’s Name, and in the end, they depart, regretting and repenting. -
Modi government deserves appreciation for opening up wide to FDI
The recent decision of Modi government on foreign direct investment (FDI) should be seen as a positive step in the right direction. The process of liberalization set in motion by the Congress government in 1991 paved the way for financial and economic reforms. It is nearly 23 years that the much touted process of liberalization was initiated, to the chagrin of the socialists who saw in reforms doom for the common man.
However, much though there is a wide difference in the perceptions of pro and anti liberalization elements in the country, the fact remains that India, after the liberalization process was set in, did make significant progress and achievements in various fields. India managed to come out of its primitive image and move forward in the fields of science, technology, particularly, information technology. Financial liberalization threw open resources for businesses. Infrastructure came to be created. Investment coming from various sources speeded the growth rate. But all was not well, mainly because of half hearted measures.
It is heartening to find that Prime Minister Modi has taken a bold decision to replicate Gujarat model to invite investment. It is well known that India does not have the financial resources to create the much needed infrastructure. Nor does the country have enough resources to modernize the defense system which the country needs so badly, given the hostility of some neighbors. Countries all over the world obtain the resources they require for their development from every part f the world.
America, the “number one nation” of the world got Indian techies to help in their growth. They got Indian doctors and nurses. They got work force from every part of the world. Whether it is human resource or material resource, it does not matter. It does not require super intelligence to understand that an investment will mean work which will mean employment, which in turn, will mean, means of living and, in course of time, better living. India needs to open up still more to let the world come and invest.
We still have the dubious reputation of being a corrupt nation where nothing works without bribery. Modi government needs to do some hard thinking about it. Foreign investors may feel dissuaded if they come across difficult situations in entering in to a business or being harassed later. All in all, Modi government should be congratulated for raising foreign direct investment in defense from 26% to 49″ and allowing 100% FDI in the railways, where a lot of investment is required to modernize a depleted system. The bullet train as of now seems a far cry. -
To each superpower, its own near-abroad
The downing of MH17 puts the spotlight back on the Ukrainian crisis. It’s a warning to the West to eschew attempts to ‘contain’ Moscow and stop the provocative expansion of NATO across Russia’s borders.
In the early hours of the morning of July 17, Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17 with 298 people on board was shot down over eastern Ukraine, now controlled by Russian separatists, engaged in a civil war against the Kiev Government. The Russian speaking minority has evidently been reinforced and equipped by their kinsmen from across the Russia-Ukraine border. They carry heavy firepower including tanks, armoured personnel carriers and a range of surface-to-air missiles.
The shooting down of MH17 came alongside rebel missile attacks over the past four weeks, which have downed two military transport and three state-of-the-art Sukhoi attack aircraft, of the Ukrainian Air Force. It is evident that the missile attack on MH17 was based on the mistaken assumption that it was a Ukrainian Air Force aircraft. There have been seven incidents of such inadvertent shooting down of civilian aircraft in the past. In recent times, South Korean Airlines Flight 007 with 277 passengers and crew strayed into Soviet airspace. It was shot down by a missile fired from a Soviet MiG.
After the usual rhetoric, Presidents Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev returned to business as usual. Thereafter, on July 3, 1988, Iran Air Flight 655, flying from Tehran to Dubai with 290 passengers, mostly pilgrims headed for Mecca, was shot down over Iranian territorial waters, by two missiles fired from the US Navy missile cruiser, USS Vincennes. The US refused to accept responsibility for the action. It paid a sum of $61.8 million as compensation to the families of the victims, following the ruling of an international tribunal.
What the US paid was less than three per cent of what it got from Libya, for the Lockerbie bombing of Pan Am 103. The Captain of the USS Vincennes was awarded Combat Action Ribbons, shortly after shooting down a civil airliner. Washington, DC’s displeasure, about Russian supply of surface-to-air missiles to the Russian resistance in Ukraine, is surprising. It was the US that started the practice of providing lethal weaponry to non-state actors. The Central Intelligence Agency liberally provided lethal Stinger surface-to-air missiles to the anti-Soviet Mujahideen in Afghanistan, through Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence.
Three Indian Air Force aircraft – a MiG 21, MiG 27 and a helicopter gunship – were shot down and a Canberra bomber damaged, during and just prior to the Kargil conflict. The IAF aircraft were fired on by Pakistan’s Northern Light Infantry, using, what were assessed to be, Stinger surface-to-air missiles. Given the relentless US policy of strategic ‘containment’ of Russia after the disintegration of the Soviet Union, it was inevitable that, pushed to a corner by American and NATO pressures, the Russians would reach a position of saying: “Thus far and no further”.
The erratic nature of the policies of President Boris Yeltsin and his advisers like Yegor Gaidar and Mr Andrey Kozyrev, immediately after the disintegration of the Soviet Union, evidently encouraged the US and its NATO allies to erode Russian influence in the Balkans and undermine Russian credibility in Kosovo. Simultaneously, members of armed Chechen separatist groups were openly welcomed in western Europe. Yeltsin’s incompetence in Chechnya and his inability to deal with the expansion of American-led influence just across Russia’s borders, contributed to his being eased out of office and replaced by Mr Vladimir Putin.
Even as the Russians tried to increasingly integrate former Soviet Republics economically and strategically, the US and its NATO allies held out lucrative offers for economic integration with the European Union and membership of the NATO military alliance. Russia faced a challenge of economic isolation and military encirclement. The Russians have responded by developing economic partnerships with former Soviet Republics and the establishment of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation.
The economic and security inroads made by the EU and NATO have, however, significantly eroded traditional Russian influence in its immediate neighbourhood. These Western moves, which the Russians naturally regard as strategic encirclement, have resulted in former Warsaw Pact members – the Czech and Slovak Republics, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania and Poland – joining NATO In the Balkans, Croatia and Slovenia are now NATO members. Moreover, the former Soviet Baltic Republics, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have joined NATO.
There are also moves to consider EU and Nato membership for Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Moldova and Georgia. Ukraine was ruled by Russian tsars for three centuries prior to the formation of the Soviet Union. It was regarded as part of the sphere of Russian influence. Its eastern region bordering Russia was increasingly populated by Russians. Ukraine’s Crimean region was transferred by Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev from the Russian Federation to Ukraine in 1954, as a “gesture of goodwill”, marking the 300th anniversary of Ukraine being a part of Tsarist Russia.
Sevastopol in Crimea is vital strategically to Russia, constituting Russia’s access to the warm waters of the Black Sea. Former President Viktor Yanukovych of Ukraine and other Ukrainian leaders inevitably played off the Russians, who promised plentiful supplies of energy, against the EU, which promised prosperity. Mr Yanukovych signed an agreement in 2010 extending the lease of Sevastopol till 2042. The quite evidently American-backed movement that resulted in the ouster of Mr Yanukovych, led to the takeover of Sevastopol and the Crimean region, with a Russian majority population, by Russia.
The US-led attempts to contain Russia have been marked by inconsistencies. The dismemberment of Yugoslavia and the independence of Kosovo were justified by Western powers on the lofty grounds of respect for “human rights”. But, today these same powers are raving and ranting against the “separatists” of the Russian minority in Ukraine, who are seeking independence, or merger with Russia.
There is little doubt that Russia today faces serious internal problems arising out of falling birth rates, alcoholism, drug addiction, declining life expectancy and corruption. But, it will be a historical error to underestimate Russian resilience in the face of adversity. Attempts to dominate and marginalise the Russian minority in Ukraine will be fiercely resisted and reinforced by support from across the Ukrainian-Russian border.
What is needed is a realistic political solution involving a united, but federalised Ukraine. More importantly, attempts at ‘containment’ of Russia, will have to be eschewed and the expansion of NATO across Russia’s borders ended. Given the imperatives of stability and energy security, responsible European countries like Germany and France will recognise this. Will the Americans do likewise? -
THE RAMAYANA
contined from vol 8 issue 30
And as VISHNU with his consort dwells in skies, alone, apart, Rama in a sweet communion lived in Sita’s loving heart!
THE COUNCIL CONVENED
Thus the young and brave Satrughna,
Bharat ever true and bold,
Went to warlike western regions where Kaikeyas lived of old,
Where the ancient Aswa-pati ruled his kingdom broad and fair,
Hailed the sons of Dasa-ratha with a grandsire’s loving care.
Tended with a fond affection, guarded with a gentle sway,
Stillthe princes of their father dreamt and thought by night and day,
And their father in Ayodhya, great of heart and stout of hand,
Thought of Bharat and Satrughna living in Kaikeya’s land.
For his great and gallant princes were to him his life and light,
Were a part of Dasa-ratha like his hands and arms of might, But of all his righteous children righteous Rama won his heart, As SWAYABIBHU of all creatures, was his dearest, holiest part,
For his Rama strong and stately was his eldest and his best,
Void of every baser passion and with every virtue blest! Soft in speech, sedate and peaceful,
seeking still the holy path, Calm in conscious worth and valour,
taunt nor cavil waked his wrath, In the field of war excelling,
boldest warrior midst the bold,
In the palace chambers musing on the tales by elders told, Faithful to the wise and learned,
truthful in his deed and word,
Rama dearly loved his people and his people loved their lord! To the Brahmans pure and holy Rama due obeisance made,
To the poor and to the helpless deeper love and honour paid, Spirit of his race and nation was to highsouled Rama given,
Thoughtsthat widen human glory, deeds that ope the gates of heaven Not intent on idle cavil Rama spake with purpose high,
And the God of speech might envy when he spake or made reply,
In the learning of the Vedas highest meed and glory won,
In the skill of arms the father scarcely matched the gallant son!
Taught by sages and by elders in the manners of his race, Rama,
grew in social virtues and each soft endearing grace,
Taught by inborn pride and wisdom patient purpose to conceal,
Deep determined was his effort,
dauntless was his silent will! Peerless in his skill and valour steed and elephant to tame, Dauntless leader of his forces, matchless in his warlike fame,
Higher thought and nobler duty did the righteous Rama move,
By his toil and by his virtues still he sought his people’s love Dasa-ratha marked his Rama with each kingly virtue blest,
And from lifelong royal duties now he sought repose and rest: “Shall I see my son anointed, seated on Kosala’s throne,
In the evening of my lifetime ere my days on earth be done, Shall I place my ancient empire in the youthful Rama’s care,
Seek for me a higher duty and prepare for life more fair?” Pondering thus within his bosom counsel from his courtiers sought, And to crown his Rama, Regent,
was his purpose and his thought, For strange signs and diverse tokens now appeared on earth and sky,
And his failing strength and vigour spoke his end approaching nigh,
And he witnessed Rama’s virtues filling all the world with love,
As the full-moon’s radiant lustre fills the earth from skies above! Dear to him appeared his purpose,
Rama to his people dear,
Private wish and public duty made his path serene and clear,
Dasa-ratha called his Council, summoned chiefs from town and plain.
Welcomed too from distant regions monarchs and the kings of men,
Mansions meet for prince andchieftain to his guests the monarch gave,
Gracious as the Lord of Creatures held the gathering rich and brave!
Nathless to Kosala’s Council nor Videha’s monarch came, Nor the warlike chief Kaikeya,
Aswa-pati king of fame, To those kings and near relations, ancient Dasa-ratha meant,
Message of the proud anointment with his greetings would be sent.
Brightly dawned the day of gathering; in the lofty Council Hall Stately chiefs and ancient burghers came and mustered one and all,
And each prince and peer was seated on his cushion rich and high,
And on monarch Dasa-ratha eager turned his anxious eye, Girt by crownéd kings and chieftains,
burghers from the town and plain, Dasa-ratha shone like INDRA girt by heaven’s immortal train!
THE PEOPLE CONSULTED
With the voice of pealing thunder Dasaratha spake to all,
To the princes and the burghers gathered in Ayodhya’s hall: “Known to all,
the race of Raghu rules this empire broad and fair,
And hath ever loved and cherished subjects with a father’s care,
Tn my fathers’ footsteps treading I have sought the ancient path,
Nursed my people as my children, free from passion, pride and wrath,
Underneath this white umbrella, seated on this royal throne,
I have toiled to win their welfare and my task is almost done!
Years have passed of fruitful labour,
years of work by fortune blest,
And the evening of my lifetime needs,
my friends, the evening’s rest, Years have passed in watchful effort,
Law and Duty to uphold, Effort needing strength and prowess-and my feeble limbs are old!
Peers and burghers, let your monarch, now his lifelong labour done,
For the weal of lovinor subjects on his empire seat his son,
INDRA-like in peerless valour, rishi-like in holy lore, Rama follows Dasa-ratha,
but in virtues stands before!
Throned in Pushya’s constellation shines the moon with fuller light Throned to rule his father’s empire Rama wins a loftier might, He will be your gracious monarch favoured well by FORTUNE’S QUEEN,
By his virtue and his valour lord of earth he might have been!
Speak your thoughts and from this bosom lift a load of toil and care,
On the proud throne of my fathers let me place a peerless heir,
Speak your thought, my chiefs and people,
if this purpose please you well, Or if wiser,
better counsel in your wisdom ye can tell, Speak your thoughts without compulsion,
though this plan to me be dear,
TO BE CONTINUED -
Governor Cuomo Signs Legislation to Protect New Yorkers From Immigration Assistance Fraud
New law strengthens penalties for those who take advantage of immigrants and codifies the Office for New Americans, launched last year
ALBANY, NY (TIP): Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, August 6, signed legislation to better protect immigrants living in New York from potential fraud or wrongdoing as they seek immigration-related assistance. These new New Yorkers will now benefit from stricter assistance-provider requirements, including the addition of a new crime to discourage this type of fraud. This bill also designates the New York State Office for New Americans – which Governor Cuomo launched last year – as a permanent executive office of State government, whose primary purpose is to offer support to the immigrant population.
Complementing the legislation signed today, a statewide multilingual public service campaign is in progress to warn newcomers against fraud and encourage them to seek assistance if they feel they are a victim of an immigration-related scam. “New York has a long history of welcoming immigrants from around the world, and today we are continuing that heritage with a new law that protects new New Yorkers and solidifies the services we provide,” Governor Cuomo said. “This bill will support those who come seeking a better future for their families, and I am proud to sign it into law today.”
The legislation will strengthen protections by enhancing translation requirements, increasing civil penalties for violations of the law, and barring the use of job titles that aim to mislead an assistance-seeker into believing that a service provider is an attorney or otherwise specialized professional when the provider has no such credential. It creates two new crimes, felony and misdemeanor immigration assistance fraud. Additionally, the bill codifies the Office for New Americans, launched by the Governor in March 2013, which provides a range of services to New York’s recent immigration population.
Just last year, the office helped over 34,000 people through neighborhood-based opportunity centers and a toll-free multi-lingual hotline (800- 566-7636) offering a variety of services. The Opportunity Centers teach New Americans English, assist them in the process of becoming naturalized U.S. citizens, provide free legal advice so they can start and grow businesses, as well as offer training to community based organizations so that they may offer immigration services.
The Office for New Americans is the first state-level immigrant office created by statute in the country. Senator Rubén Díaz said, “When immigrants seek assistance on their path to becoming citizens, they need to be assured that the organizations that are providing the help will not take advantage of them. This new law sets clear standards for providers of immigration assistance services and establishes strict penalties for those who violate the law. Immigrants who call New York State home finally will receive the protection they deserve as they seek to become citizens of our great country.”
Assemblyman Marcos A. Crespo, Chair of the Assembly Task Force on New Americans and author the Immigrant Assistance Service Enforcement Act, said, “Thanks to dedicated support of our Governor, it is no longer open season on immigrants in our State. This new law will help prevent immigrants from becoming victims of fraud, increases penalties on those that try to scam immigrants out of their life’s savings, gives immigrants an opportunity to recover their stolen fees and for damages, meets federal criteria that allows recourse when the fraud has interfered with immigration matters, and permanently establishes the Office for New Americans with a clear mandate on the work it is to perform for years to come.
Thanks to the support of Governor Cuomo, this is a major change in public policy that will positively impact over 4.3 million New Yorkers who are of recent foreign decent. Today, because of his commitment to improving the lives of all New Yorkers, countless hardships and crimes will be prevented for decades to come and even more opportunities to help immigrants integrate into our society will be created.” New York Secretary of State Cesar Perales said, “By empowering our communities through legitimate services, we not only provide needed assistance to a vulnerable population, we also create economic opportunities across the State that will eventually benefit every New Yorker.
I congratulate the Governor for combatting immigration scams affecting our state’s newcomers.” Steven Choi, Executive Director of the New York Immigration Coalition, said, “The New York Immigration Coalition applauds Governor Cuomo for signing into law the Immigrant Assistance Service Enforcement Act, a critical piece of legislation that empowers New York’s immigrant communities.
We are proud to have worked closely with the Governor’s office and Assemblymember Crespo in crafting a bill that provides new protections against immigration fraud, punishes those who seek to take advantage of immigrant communities, and lays a foundation to expand reliable immigration services across the State.
We look forward to working with the Governor and the Office for New Americans to build on this legislation and ensure that New York is invested in immigrant communities that will pay off in benefits for our entire State.” This law passed both houses of the legislature as S.6732-A and A.8947B, respectively. -
Indian American couple held for physically abusing their 12 year old daughter
NEW YORK (TIP):
An Indian American couple from Queens, New York, are behind bars and face lengthy jail time for physically abusing their 12-year-old daughter for two years, including beating her bloody with a baseball bat, belt, rolling pin, kicking her with shoes on, giving her cold showers and starving her behind closed doors. Authorities are saying that the child, who kept quiet on her ordeal fearing that a complaint against her parents would result in her step-siblings being taken away by authorities and kept in foster care, finally got the courage to speak up after she went to live with relatives after being discharged from hospital for an assault on her.
They say if the girl had not spoken up, it would have led to her death at the hands of her savagely cruel parents. The Ozone Park couple, father Rajesh Ranot, 46, and step-mother, Sheetal Ranot, 31, face multiple counts of assault and child endangerment for allegedly starving and beating their daughter between December 2012 and July 2014, reported ABC, based on documents from the office of Queens district attorney, Richard A. Brown.
According to the complaint against the couple, in one instance the child was allegedly hit with a broken metal broom handle that cut her wrist down to the bone and required hospitalization and surgery. District Attorney Brown said, “The criminal charges allege that this young victim was subjected to years of unspeakable physical abuse at the hands of her father and stepmother – including being locked in her bedroom by her stepmother without food or water for extended periods of time and forced to take cold showers while her father hit her about her body with his hands and even a baseball bat.
Despite the bruising and scarring on her body which served as a silent testament to the violence and cruelty she purportedly endured, it is alleged that for a long time this emaciated child was fearful of disclosing the true nature of her injuries or those responsible for her suffering for fear that her younger step-siblings would be taken away by authorities and placed in foster care.
Fortunately, she found the courage to speak up.” He continued, “I want to thank the law enforcement and social service personnel involved in this case. Without their intervention, it is not too hard to imagine that this case would have ended in the child’s death.” Brown said that Sheetal Ranot repeatedly hit her stepdaughter, Maya Ranot, about her body and face, causing bruising and pain, and locked her inside her bedroom and refused to feed her for extended periods of time between December 1, 2012, and May 6, 2014.
In one instance, it is alleged that on December 21, 2012, Sheetal Ranot kicked Maya in the face while wearing footwear, causing bruising, swelling and substantial pain about her eye and face. On a second occasion, May 6, 2013, Sheetal Ranot allegedly hit Maya with a broken metal broom handle about her body, causing a deep laceration and bleeding about her left wrist and right knee. When medical personnel arrived at the family residence, they found Maya lying in a pool of blood in the kitchen with the tendons to her left wrist cut to the bone.
Maya was transported to Elmhurst Hospital where she underwent surgery for her wrist and received stitches to her knee. At the time, doctors allegedly observed several bruises, marks and scars in various stages of healing throughout Maya’s body. In a third instance, Sheetal Ranot allegedly hit Maya in the face with a wooden rolling pin on April 16, 2014, causing a laceration, swelling and pain to her left cheek and requiring removal to a local Queens hospital for medical attention.
At the time, doctors allegedly observed her to be underweight and thin, weighing 58 pounds, and wearing dirty clothes. It is additionally alleged, according to the criminal complaints, that Rajesh Ranot repeatedly beat Maya about her body with his hands, his feet, a belt and a baseball bat between December 1, 2012, and May 6, 2014, causing bruising, swelling and pain about her body. During this same time period, it is alleged that he too would lock her inside her bedroom without food or water for extended periods of time and that he forced her to take cold showers while he struck her about her body with his hands and various objects.
On March 31, 2014, he allegedly hit her with a baseball bat, causing bruising, swelling and pain about her head and face. It is further alleged that between April 16, 2014, and May 6, 2014, Ranot continued to hit his daughter with a baseball bat about her head and legs, causing bruising and pain about her ears, head and legs. On May 6, 2014, Maya was taken to Elmhurst Hospital’s emergency department where doctors observed various bruises, marks and scars in different stages of healing throughout her body, including bruises on her right scapular area, right ear and legs. According to ABC, Sheetal Ranot was arraigned before Queens Criminal Court Judge Deborah Steven Modica on July 29, 2014, on a criminal complaint charging her with second-degree assault and endangering the welfare of a child.
Ranot was rearrested and arraigned on August 1, 2014, before Queens Criminal Court Judge David Hawkins on a criminal complaint charging her with first-and second-degree assault and endangering the welfare of a child. Bail was set at $10,000 and $50,000, respectively, and Ranot was ordered to return to court on August 13th in both cases. Ranot, who is presently being held in jail in lieu of a total of $60,000 in bail, faces up to seven years in prison in the first case and up to 25 years in prison in the second case if convicted.
Rajesh Ranot, who is the child’s biological father, was arraigned on August 1, before Queens Criminal Court Judge Michelle Armstrong on a criminal complaint charging him with second-and third-degree assault, first-degree unlawful imprisonment and endangering the welfare of a child. Ranot, who faces up to seven years in prison if convicted, remains in jail in lieu of $25,000 bail.
His next court date is also August 13th. According to The New York Times, lawyers for the Ranots could not immediately be found. The girl is being represented by the Legal Aid Society, which declined to comment. The father once owned a deli at 96th Street and Liberty Avenue. A clerk there, Monir Uddin, said he sold it after disputes with his wife, said the Times report. Uddin said he never noticed scarring or bruising when the child first visited the store. He noted that she often seemed scared, sheepish and meek. -
Hit-and-run driver pleads guilty
Michael Elardo, a former NYPD officer who struck and killed a Levittown Girl in June, will serve up to four years in prison
LONG ISLAND, NY (TIP): A former New York City police officer from Syosset will serve up to four years in jail following a hit-and-run that killed a 13-year-old Levittown girl with Down syndrome on Hempstead Turnpike in Levittown in June, according to Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice. Michael Elardo, 48, pleaded guilty to the top charge against him, leaving the scene of a fatal incident without reporting, a D felony. He will serve a minimum of one and 1/3 years in prison, and a maximum of four years.
Bryanna Soplin was struck by Elardo’s minivan just after midnight on June 15, as she crossed the turnpike near the Gardiners Avenue intersection. Elardo surrendered to Nassau County police approximately 42 hours later, on June 16. In court on Monday, August 4, Elardo admitted knowing that he struck a person and left the scene, said Rice. The investigation into the underlying causes of the collision, according to Rice, remains open. Rice said she also called on the state Legislature to increase penalties for fatal hit-and-runs.
Currently, the charge of leaving the scene of a fatal incident without reporting carries a maximum sentence of two and 1/3 to seven years in prison. Rice said she wants the penalty to increase to five to 15 years in prison. “A driver who flees the scene of a collision should not benefit from that flight,” Rice said. “The penalty for leaving the scene should be increased to discourage drivers from fleeing. Right now a driver may face lower charges because he has prevented a full investigation.
That should never happen. The state Legislature should increase the penalties, remove this benefit and pass this common-sense measure in their next session.” Assistant District Attorneys Michael Bushwack and Gene Kang of the D.A.’s Vehicular Crimes Bureau are prosecuting the case. Elardo is represented by Michael DerGarabedian. -
INTERESTING WAYS TO REUSE YOUR DENIM
Have you ever had to give away your favourite pair of jeans even though you didn’t want to? Now, you can reuse them instead of bearing the pain of parting with them. If your denims are old, torn or simply don’t fit you, here are some creative alternative uses for them.
Lampshade
If you’re bored of your lampshade, just cut your denim into small pieces and stick them on the lampshade top. This way, you have a new lampshade in no time. Also, you could always make your own lampshade from scratch and use the denim patches for a cover.
Cushion covers
Cut the fabric into small squares and stitch them together to form two big squares, enough to contain a cushion. Then, place the two big squares, one on top of the other, and stitch three sides. Attach a zipper on the unstitched side. You now have a funky patchwork denim cushion cover.
Multi-purpose holder
If you have a lot of jeans that aren’t being used, this is probably the best thing to make. Snip the pockets off all the jeans and keep them aside. Cover a thick board with a fabric of your choice and stick the pockets on to the board with fabric glue. You could use this board as a pen holder in your room or put it up in the kitchen to hold your cutlery. Use it any way you like.
Coasters
This is probably the simplest to make. Cut an art board into squares. Now, cut denim into squares that are slightly bigger than your art board pieces. Stick the fabric on to the cardboard with fabric glue and wrap the edges over the sides of the squares. Your denim coasters are ready. -
Sikh Rights Group Seeks Info on Obama’s Invite to PM Modi
NEW YORK (TIP): A New York based Sikh rights group has filed a request under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) seeking documents relating to the Obama administration’s decision to invite Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a meeting at the White House here in September. In its FOIA filed before the State Department, the New York-based Sikh for Justice (SFJ) has also sought documents related to the visa ban of Modi after August 2005.
In 2005, the US State Department had revoked a visa that Modi had for traveling to the US in the wake of the 2002 riots in Gujarat. He never applied for an American visa after the US move. Following his historic win in the general elections this year, President Barack Obama called Modi personally and invited him for a meeting in September. White House officials say, Obama is looking forward to welcoming Modi.
Urging the Department of State to expedite, the SFJ’s FOIA states that “Modi’s visa was canceled/revoked by the US government in 2005 for his involvement in serious human rights violations during 2002 massacre in the state of Gujarat while he was the Chief Minister of that state. “Since Modi is due to arrive in the United States during September 2014 and is scheduled to attend a summit at the White House, it is urgent that public be aware of how and under what US law a decision was taken to reverse ban on the issuance of visa to Modi, a known human rights violator”.
“The law requires USDOS to respond to such FOIA requests within 20 business days,” the rights group said. Last year, SFJ had filed a human rights violation case against the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. While the case is still pending in a Washington DC court, the US Government has ruled that Singh enjoys immunity from the case. -
New York patient tests negative for Ebola
NEW YORK (TIP): In a statement Wednesday , August 6, Mount Sinai said that the Centers for Disease Control and Protection “determined that the patient kept in isolation since Monday” is not infected with the deadly disease. The man, according to the statement, “is in stable condition, is improving, and remains in the care of our physicians and nurses.”
The male patient had come to the Manhattan hospital’s emergency room early Monday morning with high fever and gastrointestinal problems. He had recently returned from a West African country where Ebola has been reported. Early Monday evening, city health officials announced that the patient was “unlikely to have Ebola,” but that CDC test results were still pending.
The confirmation of a negative test came hours after the World Health Organization announced that the worst Ebola outbreak in history has killed at least 932 people in four West African countries. The WHO also said Wednesday, August 6 that it will convene a panel next week to discuss the use of experimental Ebola drugs to combat the outbreak that is ravaging Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea and has now spread into Nigeria, too. -
CONGRESSMAN CROWLEY STRONGLY CONDEMNS ATTACK ON SIKH BUSINESSMAN IN QUEENS
QUEENS, NY (TIP): Rep. Joe Crowley (D-Queens, the Bronx), a leader on Sikh- American issues who spearheaded the effort to encourage the Department of Justice and FBI to begin tracking and quantifying hate crimes against Sikhs, issued a statement, August 5, condemning attack on a Queens businessman who was injured after being run down by a pickup truck outside of his office late last week. Advocates and the Sikh-American community in Queens joined together to rally behind Mr. Singh and call for justice.
The Congressman said, “I’m deeply concerned about the events that took place last week here in Queens, and I wish Mr. Singh a speedy recovery. Two years after the massacre in Oak Creek, it is clear that the Sikh community is still facing the threat of violence, and this kind of continued hate and these attacks against Sikh Americans must come to an end.
I hope the Department of Justice and FBI can offer assistance in this case, including using the updated system for specifically tracking hate crimes against Sikhs. The intolerance and ignorance that contributed to the attack on Mr. Singh is unacceptable, and we must continue to work to end these hate crimes.” Sikh-Americans are often targeted for hate crimes because of their distinct identity and common misperceptions with respect to their attire and appearance. Attackers sometimes appear to erroneously believe that Sikh- Americans are affiliated with extremists and were somehow responsible for the September 11th terrorist attacks on the United States.
In other circumstances they are attacked because of their Sikh identity. Over the past three years, Crowley has led a major effort in the U.S. House of Representatives to convince the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to begin collecting data on hate crimes committed against Sikh-Americans and Hindu- Americans – introducing legislation and sending multiple letters to the DOJ and FBI.
Last year, then-FBI Director Robert Mueller announced the agency would begin this program. Crowley’s efforts have been supported by the Sikh Coalition, American Jewish Committee, Anti-Defamation League, Hindu American Foundation, and Indian American Forum for Political Education, SALDEF, and South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT) among other leading national organizations.
Congressman Crowley is the eight-term representative from the 14th Congressional District of New York, which includes sections of Queens and the Bronx. He is a member of the powerful Ways and Means Committee and serves as Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus in the House of Representatives. -
SIAEA launches Philadelphia Chapter
Society of Indo American Engineers and Architects opened their first chapter, after 34 years of the Society’s creation. Philadelphia Chapter became the first chapter of SIAEA, having been inaugurated on June 22nd 2014, under SIAEA President Mihir B.Patel. The Philly chapter is set to go places, given the enthusiasm of its members.
A strong delegation from New York led by Mihir B.Patel to Philly chapter included Founding President Mohan Jethwani, Past Presidents Lal Motwani, Ravi Shenoy and Nayan Parikh. Presentation was done by President Mihir B.Patel and the election was conducted by an election committee.
Anil Jagiasi, Philly Pres Heman Patel, Pres Mihir B.Patel,Dhanesh Motiani and Pres elect Krutee Shah
The Philadelphia Chapter formed on June 22nd 2014. has Heman Patel as President and Mrs Krutee Shah as the president elect. Others elected are Dhanesh Motiani (VP), Anil Jagiasi (Secretary), Dev Goswami (Treasurer) and Yogesh Saoji (Director for the term from 2015-2017)
SIAEA NY delegation to Philadelphia
